“Sometimes the best destinations are the ones you weren’t planning to discover.”
When I left Alabama for northern Illinois, my destination wasn’t really McHenry County. It was the annual Midwest Travel Network Conference.
Three days later, after overnight stops in Jackson, Tennessee, and Bloomington, Illinois, I arrived in Crystal Lake expecting a few days of educational sessions, networking, and catching up with old friends.
Instead, I discovered one of Illinois’ most enjoyable surprises.
Located less than two hours northwest of Chicago, McHenry County offers something increasingly difficult to find—small communities where locally owned businesses still define the landscape, historic buildings continue serving their communities, and visitors are welcomed like neighbors.
The conference simply gave me the excuse to experience it.
Home Base: Crystal Lake
The Holiday Inn Crystal Lake served as conference headquarters and my home for several days.
While the hotel has been around for a while, thoughtful renovations have kept it comfortable and inviting. My room overlooked a peaceful lake behind the property—a pleasant view to begin and end each day.
The only downside? I accepted a room facing the busy roadway. After hours of driving, traffic noise isn’t exactly the lullaby you hope for.
🚗 Roadrunner Tip
If you arrive early, ask if quieter rooms are available. Hotels often have options before they become fully occupied. A simple request can make for a much better night’s sleep.
Another unexpected convenience was the Walmart located just minutes away. Whether you forgot something at home or simply needed to top off the gas tank before heading out each morning, it made travel logistics easy.
Coffee, Conversation, and Community
One thing became obvious very quickly. McHenry County believes in supporting local businesses. Conference organizers introduced us to the entrepreneurs who make this community unique.
Our morning began at Conscious Cup Coffee Roasters, where we learned that tasting coffee isn’t nearly as simple as taking a sip. There’s technique, aroma, and yes…There’s quite a bit of slurping.
Even for someone who isn’t a serious coffee drinker, it was fascinating learning how different roasting methods and brewing techniques influence flavor. Even more impressive was learning that Conscious Cup brings these tastings directly to businesses and organizations with mobile coffee experiences. It’s a creative way to introduce people to specialty coffee while building community connections.
Perfectly paired with the tasting were pastries from Konrad’s Bakery. Sweet. Savory. Fresh.
Every tray disappeared quickly.
As I’ve learned over the years of attending conferences…
🚗 Roadrunner Tip
If an optional excursion includes food…sign up.
You’ll probably discover some of the destination’s best local businesses while someone else picks up lunch.
Tea with a Touch of Whimsy
If the coffee tasting celebrated craftsmanship, Casting Whimsy celebrated imagination.
Located in nearby Woodstock, the family-owned tea shop blends its own loose-leaf teas while embracing pop culture, fairy tales, and just enough fantasy to make every visit memorable. One blend is called “Make It So,” while another is inspired by dragons. The shop’s personality is impossible to miss—and that’s exactly the point.
Our traditional afternoon tea included beautifully prepared finger sandwiches, warm scones, and delicate sweets served alongside handcrafted teas.
I chose “Make it So” or Earl Grey. Jon Luc Picard would appreciate the blend.
It was a perfect reminder that travel doesn’t always have to be fast.
Sometimes, slowing down with a proper cup of tea is exactly what the journey calls for.
Strawberry Season in McHenry County
Few places capture the character of rural Illinois better than Tom’s Farm Market.
Families wandered the strawberry fields, carrying buckets overflowing with freshly picked berries.
Inside the market, colorful flowers, locally grown plants, homemade foods, and specialty products tempted visitors to stay much longer than planned. Here is a quick look inside.
Then there were the strawberry donuts. Warm. Fresh. Covered in sweet strawberry goodness.
Sometimes the most memorable meal of a trip isn’t found in a fancy restaurant.
It’s found in a farm market bakery.
Brewing More Than Beer
Our next stop was Sew Hop’d Brewery.
Although beer isn’t usually my drink of choice, breweries often tell you as much about a community as museums do. Neighbors gather. Friends catch up. Visitors become regulars.
Sew Hop’d felt less like a brewery and more like another neighborhood gathering place.
That’s something I noticed throughout McHenry County. The businesses weren’t trying to impress visitors. They were simply being authentic.
🚗 Roadrunner Tip
Talk to the owners whenever you can.
Every small business has a story.
Those conversations often become the memories you take home.
Dinner, Local Style
One evening, we gathered at The Vixen, an intimate event venue, just as thunderstorms rolled across northern Illinois.
Inside, local restaurants showcased their menus.
My favorite? Without question… Green Peapod. Their Thai dishes were fresh and flavorful, and among the culinary highlights of the trip.
Equally memorable were the crispy egg rolls from Plum Garden, a longtime local Chinese restaurant that has earned a loyal following over the decades.
I appreciated that the conference intentionally featured locally owned restaurants rather than national chains.
When you travel, why eat at a place you can visit back home?
Where History Still Lives
Readers of Roadrunner Journeys know I have a soft spot for historic places.
It should come as no surprise that one of my favorite locations was The Dole in Crystal Lake.
Built in 1865 by businessman Charles Sidney Dole, the Italianate mansion once stood at the center of more than 1,000 acres known as Lakeland Farms. Dole’s business interests ranged from grain to harvesting ice from Crystal Lake before refrigeration became commonplace. The estate later became the Crystal Lake Country Club before preservation efforts saved it and transformed it into today’s thriving cultural center. (Naturally McHenry County)
Instead of sitting empty, The Dole now hosts concerts, art exhibits, educational programs, community events, and gatherings like ours.
To me, that’s historic preservation at its very best.
The Starline Factory, Harvard, Illinois
Our last evening of the conference was held at one of the most impressive places we visited, The Starline Factory in Harvard, Illinois. Originally built in the early 1900s as a manufacturing facility, the sprawling industrial complex once produced farm equipment and other manufactured goods that supported the region’s agricultural economy. Rather than allowing the property to fall into permanent decline, developers invested in an ambitious restoration that transformed the former factory into a vibrant destination for artists, makers, events, and community gatherings.
Walking through the massive brick buildings, it’s easy to appreciate the scale of the project. Exposed beams, original industrial details, and thoughtfully restored spaces preserve the building’s history while giving it a new purpose. During our visit, we enjoyed a gathering featuring local craft breweries, food, and live entertainment, but what impressed me most was the vision behind the restoration. It’s another example of how the community has embraced its past—not by freezing it in time, but by finding creative ways to ensure that historic places continue to serve the community for generations to come.
The evening opened with a poetry reading by local artists, setting a reflective tone that highlighted the factory’s commitment to supporting the creative community. While it was a different way to begin the evening than I expected, it reinforced that this restored industrial space has become much more than an event venue—it’s a place where art, history, and community come together.
Woodstock: More Than Groundhog Day
Our final afternoon included a visit to Woodstock, best known as the stand-in for Punxsutawney in the movie Groundhog Day.
Fans still visit each year to relive scenes from the beloved Bill Murray classic.
But Woodstock deserves recognition for much more than Hollywood.
It’s a beautifully preserved square, anchored by the 1889 Woodstock Opera House, which reflects the community’s commitment to preserving its architectural heritage. Once a major manufacturing center—especially for typewriters—the town continues to celebrate both its history and its vibrant downtown.
Movie buffs will enjoy it. History lovers will probably enjoy it even more.
The Heart of the Midwest Travel Network
Of course, the conference itself delivered exactly what it always does.
Old friendships. New connections. Fresh ideas.
Our keynote speaker, Marlo Anderson, shared insights into the many national “Day Of…” celebrations he helped popularize, reminding us that sometimes the simplest ideas can inspire millions.
I was also fortunate enough to win complimentary registration for next year’s conference in La Crosse, Wisconsin.
Not a bad way to end the week.
Why McHenry County Stayed With Me
Before this trip, McHenry County was simply another county on an Illinois map.
Today, I remember it differently. I remember the smell of freshly roasted coffee. The tasty pastries from Konrad’s Bakery. Tea served with imagination at Casting Whimsy. Families picking strawberries. The warm strawberry donut. The conversations inside a neighborhood brewery. Historic buildings with a new purpose. And business owners who genuinely love sharing with their communities.
Those are the experiences that linger long after you’ve unpacked your suitcase.
McHenry County may have welcomed me because of a conference. But I’d happily return just to explore it on its own. And that’s perhaps the highest compliment I can give any destination.
📍 Roadrunner Tips
- Ask for a quieter room. If you arrive early enough, try to avoid traffic noise or elevators.
- Never skip food-focused excursions. They’re often the best way to discover a destination’s local flavors.
- Talk with the owners. Whether it’s a coffee roaster, baker, brewer, or tea blender, each person’s story brings the destination to life.
- Allow extra time. If you’re attending a conference, arrive a day early or stay a day later to experience the community beyond the meeting rooms.
- Look for the history. Every town has a story—you just have to slow down long enough to hear it.
Roadrunner Journeys is always about more than simply visiting places—it’s about discovering the stories that make them unforgettable. McHenry County is one of those places where history, local businesses, and genuine hospitality come together to create experiences that stay with you long after you’ve unpacked your suitcase. I hope this journey inspires you to visit for yourself.
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